Arizona-based Local Motors has unveiled its 3D-printed car—LM3D—at the SEMA automotive trade show. According to the company, 3D-printed is made of a thermoplastic. The company—Local Motors—uses a controversial car building process in order to build the 3D vehicles.
The construction process involves direct digital manufacturing (DDM) to produce fully-homologated vehicles, CEO Jay Rogers explained to the crowd at the motor vehicle aftermarket show organized by the Speciality Equipment Market Association (SEMA). The vehicle is still to being tested.

“In the past few months our engineers have moved from only a rendering to the car you see in front of you today,” Rogers said. “We are using the power of DDM to create new vehicles at a pace unparalleled in the auto industry, and we’re thrilled to begin taking orders on 3D-printed cars next year.”

As far as printing process is concerned, it looks like toothpaste spilling out of the tube when the machine shoots out ribbons of carbon-fibre reinforced thermoplastics.

The car—LM3D Swim—looks like a red dune buggy when it is viewed closely. The lower-speed electric car cannot exceed 35 miles per hour, mandated by law. The company is planning to put the car on sale as soon as late next year for $53,000.